PIPELINES: Massachusetts politicians and activists call for the closure of the Weymouth gas compressor station after its third unplanned natural gas release in under a year. (Boston Globe)
EMISSIONS: The University of Pennsylvania announces a net-zero emissions by 2050 goal for its endowment investments after years of student-led criticism. (Daily Pennsylvanian)
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WIND:
• An offshore wind developer reaches a deal with a Maine labor union to hire hundreds of skilled workers for construction jobs, though tensions remain with the state’s fishing industry. (Portland Press Herald)
• Maine counties and towns are seeing less than expected revenue from wind farms after the state granted abatements to some projects. (Bangor Daily News)
• Northeast states are expected to award contracts for 6.4 GW of offshore wind capacity between now and early 2022. (Reuters)
• Expanding offshore wind might raise New York electric bills, but increases may be balanced with fewer health issues and energy-related emissions. (Gothamist)
SOLAR:
• A New Jersey community solar pilot program saw 410 applications in its second year, a record number representing over 800 MW of capacity, most of which would serve low-to-moderate-income communities. (NJ Spotlight)
• Maryland regulators will host a second virtual public meeting this month for a 30 MW solar array that some residents say is antithetical to local land development philosophy. (Baltimore Sun)
EQUITY: A new report warns that electric vehicle infrastructure must be equitably invested and distributed in the U.S.; currently, only two states (including New York) have equity-related mandates. (Utility Dive)
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COAL: The operator of a Pennsylvania waste coal-fired plant agrees to pay a $108,000 civil penalty for air pollution violations and submit a sulfur dioxide emissions reduction plan. (Indiana Gazette)
COMMENTARY:
• More Massachusetts voters should turn out for municipal light plant boards elections to encourage faster clean power integration, the director of a state environmental group says. (Commonwealth Magazine)
• A Pennsylvania utility president says the state needs stronger consumer protection measures in the face of deceptive electric supplier practices that make customers collectively pay millions too much for power. (Trib Live)